steiner



March 8, 1932.

1.. S TEINER VENDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 24, 1950 4 Sheets-Shea; l

L 0075 JTE/NE ATTORNEY WITNESS March 8, 1-932. I s E 1,848,755

- VENDI'NG MACHINE Filed Sept. 24, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 .71 D LOU/S mvl-zQ-ron BY fleajefdmw ArroRNEY WITNES:

March 8, 1932. L. STEYINER 1,848,755

VENDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 24. 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Mar. s, 1932 LOUIS STEINER, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK vrmnme macnmn Application filed September 24, 1930. Serial No. 484,159.

This invention relates to vending machines of the coin operated type. More particularly the inventlon has to do with the" coin; control and actuating means for machines of this character.

In the operation of coin actuated vending machines as heretofore constructed certain serious disadvantages have existed. For instance, the mechanism has been unreliable in 13 its operation of delivering the merchandise for which a coin has been deposited so that the purchaser has been defrauded of his money at leastso far as the machines themselves have been concerned. I Also, it has 15 occurred that a prospective purchaserwho has deposited a coin and thereafter changed his mind as to makin the purchase has been obliged to complete t e purchase, because of the absence of any means whereby the coin might be returned to the purchaser. This cond1t1on has frequently arisen in connection v with vending machines operated by a plurality of coins, such as a dime and a; nickel,

where a purchaser would deposit one coin accompany the'one already deposited. In such cases the coin deposited has been lost to the purchaser, without any merchandise having been obtained so that the purchaser has to such extent been defrauded. Other disadvantages have been the simplicity with which the machines could be operated by spurious coins and the inability of the machine to reject or eject bogus coins, counterfeits, or tokens, which have frequently resulted in damage to the machlne.

The primary object of this invention to render the coin actuated mechanism reliable and efiicient, and positive in its action at every stage of the vending operation. To these ends I provide, among other thinis, means whereby the mechanismcan only 9 operated by a proper coin or coins; whereby the coin itself, or a plurality of proper coins, become an active, part of the apparatus after and then find that he has noproper coin to having been deposited, performing essential 'net 10, a base plurality of coins, the mechanism will not operate when an insufiicient number of coins have been deposited but will, instead, automatically return the insuficient coin or coins when an attempt is made to operatethe machine. v

,' Other objects are to simplify the construction of the machine by materially reduc ing the number of parts required, so'that the coin-actuated mechanism will be of sinall size and capable of a wide range of use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter specifically pointed out, or will become apparent, as the specification proceeds.

With the above indicated objects in view, the invention resides in certain novel constructions and combinations and arrangement of parts, clearly described in the following specification and fully illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which latter show embodiments of theinvention asat present preferred.

. In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a suitable vending machine-incorporating the present improvements Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the same;

' Fig. 4- is a transverse sectional view through the machine, taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a partial vertical sectional view substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is'a partial vertical section on the line 6- 6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a partial vertical sectional view substantially on the line 77 of Fig. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows; and v Fig. 8 is an enlarged diagrammatic view illustrating some of the important parts of the mechanism in disassociated relationship.

The invention, in this instance is illustrated as part of a more orless conventional type of vending machine, includin a cabiportion 11, and t e. usual stack of merchandise 12 sppported a tray 131; Whilethemerchandminthismstmce consists of packages of cigarettes, it is of course understood that the merchandise may be of any character, in packaged form or otherwise; and while the present showing illustrates but one stack 12 and one unit of operating means, and desired number of stacks may be included in a sin le cabinet, with an appropriate number 0 operating units.

lhe operatingunit in this instance indicated generally at 14, is of novel character, and while shown in oneof its aspects as being operated by two coins, here termed for purposes of illustration, a dime 15 and a nickel 16, may be constructed for operation by but one coin, or by more than two coins, as ma be desired, the novel features herein descri ed and claimed, such for instance as the coin holders, being capable of employment singly or collectively. The unit 14 is arranged so that when the proper number of coins has been. deposited the unit will be in condition for operation by manipulation of a plunger 17, whereby an ejector 18 will be caused to move rearwardly to engage the lowermost article of merchandise 12 and push the same out of the tray 13 and into the delivery chute 19, whence the article of merchandise will travel by gravity to the delivery compartment 20.

The plunger 17 is slidably mounted in the front and rear walls 21 and 22 respectively of the unit 14. The inner end of the plunger 17 is preferably provided with a return spring 23; and a spring tensioned pawl 24 is mounted on the side wall. 25 of the unit, in cooperation with a rack 26 formed on the plunger, whereby to prevent return of the plunger, once it has been started on its operating stroke, until the operation has been completed.

Rigidly mounted on, or integral with, the

plunger, is a coin holder 27, here termed the P dime holder. This dime holder 27 is provided with a coin slot 28 and a cross slot 29, the purpose of which latter will presently PP the nickel holder is pivotally mounted on the rigid dime holder 27, the character of the pivotal mounting therefor being such that when no coin is in the dime slot the nickel holder can have a forward swinging movement around the rounded head 31 of the dime holder. Novel means are provided to support the dime in its slot 28. In this instance a slightly flexible plate 32 is mounted to extend forwardly from the rear wall 22, the

plate 32 being so adjusted with respect to the closed side of the dime slot- 28 that the dime will normally be supported by the plate 32 but if the coin be even slightly smaller than a proper or standard coin, the coin will fall through the slot 29, into the coin rejector chute 34, and thence to the delivery compartment 20.

ear. A second coin holder 30, here termed The nickel slot 35 of the coin holder 20 has straight sides and the right hand edge of the nickel is normally supported on a rigid nickel rail 36 positioned in the unit 14.

Means are provided to restrain advance- -ment of the plunger, and hence operation of the plunger on its operating stroke when the proper coins are in positionin their respective coin slots. Inasmuch as such means are dependent upon the presence of the coins as just mentioned, a statement of the operation of the mechanism willbe here given.

In the regular and proper operation of the machine, the purchaser inserts a dime 15 and a nickel 16 in the coin receiving slots .42 and-43 respectively, located on the coin receiving-slot plate 44. When so inserted the coins are guided through coin chutes 45 and 46 respectively to the coin holding slots 28 and 35, respectively, whereupon the mechanism will be in condition for operation; It will be observed that the side of the dime 15 adjacent to the edge which rests upon the dime supporting late 32 projects beyond the end of the rigidime holder 27 and abuts against a lug portion 48 formed on thenickel holder 30. Since the nickel holder 30 is pivoted at 49 to swing forwardly under certain conditions, rearward swinging thereof being prevented by engagement of the angular portion 50 with the side of the lunger 17, the presence of the (lime in the slot 28, with the dimes edge abutting against the lug portion 38, will cause the two coin holders 27 and 30 to be locked together in and the nickel 16 will engage the ear 51 and move the ejector lever 52 about its pivotal mounting 53.

Itis evident that the latch bar39 will have to be raised to remove the lug 41 from the path of the dime holderf27 so that the working stroke may be completed. For

purpose the latch bar is provided with a releasing plate 54 having orwardly and rearwardly inclined cam surfaces 55 and 56. The'forward cam surface 55 is arranged so that it will be engaged by the upper part of the ejector lever ear 51 at the commencement of the working-stroke. This will cause the latch bar 39 to be raised to clear the lug portion 41. Then the plunger continuing its advance, carries the coin holders 27 and 30 rearwardly to .a position over the coin rewill have passed beneath the fingers 59 and 6D which are mounted on the rear wall of the unit 14. These fingers have inclined cam surfaces at their under sides as indicated at '61 and 62 which engage the upper edges of the coins as the coin holders approach the end vof the working stroke and force the coins down through the slots and into the receptacle 57 at practically the same instant that the'nickel passes the ear 51, it being understood that up to this point the coins have been securely wedged in place due to the interengagement of the coins, coin holders and ear 51, and supported, as well, by

the plate 32 and the nickel rail 36, these latter supports being withdrawn as the coins pass over the slotted portions32a and 36a with the nickel, so that the dime andthe nickel will be pushed out of their respective coin slots simultaneously.

The latch bar 39, which it may now be explained, has its pivotal mounting 40 on the nger 59, has an additional lug or stop 63 which serves to limit the advancement of the plunger and coin holders when the coins have been collected and the merchandise delivered.

The front wall of the unit 14 is also preferably provided with a stop pin 65 to limit the forward movement of the plunger and coin holders.

Reference now be made to some of the important safety features of the mechanism. When no coins are present in the coin holders, the lug 41 prevents operation of the machine. If a nickel be inserted, but no dime, and an attempt is made to operate the plunger, the nickel will engage the ear 51,

and, due to the fact that the coin holders are not locked together, as by the dime, this engagement of the nickel and ear 51 will cause the nickel holder 30 to swing about its 7 pivot 49 so that the cam slot 35 will lie at an inclination instead of at a right angle to the nickel support rail 36, and will be clear of the latter; and the nickel will fall into the coin rejector chute 34, and thence to the delivery compartment 20.

On the other hand, if a dime be inserted, but no nickel, it will be impossible to move the ear 51, and hence raise the latch bar 39; and the dime holder will engage the lug 41 as the plunger is pressed inwardly, operation of the vending apparatus being thus prevented. Since the coin holder 27 is rigid relative to the plunger rod, the dime vwill be retained in the dime slot. Means are accordingly provided to eject the dime. For

this purpose there is provided at the side of the machine, a spring held release plunger 64 which, on being pressed inwardly, engages the dime support plate 32, moving the latter sufficiently to remove its support from the dime, whereupon the dime drops down into the coin rejector chute 34, and thence to the delivery compartment 20.

It will be understood that coins, washers ortokens which are too large can not ordinarily pass through the coin receiving slots 42 and 43, but if they do pass through they will simply bounce off thecoin holders and will fall down into the coin rejector chute. Similarly, coins or the like which are too small, will readily fall through the coin slots and into' the coin rejector chute.

It is also understood that other safety devices are preferably included to detect spurious coins, and such additional safety devices are arranged to direct the bogus coins into the coin rejector chute, so that they will not cause damage to the working parts of the machine.

For the purpose of clarity, the merchandise ejector 18 is shown mounted on an arm 66 extending outwardly and away from the unit 14, but it is evident that the ejector 18 may be positioned directly over the unit 14, thereby producing a small compact machine, a number of which can be banked in a single vending machine cabinet for the sale ofv different articles of merchandise. When the ejector 18 is constructed as just described,

' the merchandise tray is preferably provided may be provided for removal and replacement of the coin receptacle 57 I The hereinbefore described construction admits of considerable modification without departing from the invention; therefore, it is the wish not to be limited to the precise arrangements shown and described, which are as aforesaid, by way of illustration merely. In other words the scope of protection contemplated is to be taken solely from the appended claims, interpreted as broadly as is consistent with the prior art.

What is claimed is:

. 1. A coin operated vending machine comprising, in combination, an operating unit including a plunger, a merchandise ejector, and means enabling said plunger to actuate said merchandise ejector, said means including a coin holder rigidly associated with said plunger and a second coin holder pivotally associated with said rigid coin holder, said coin holders having coin slots, a flexible supporting plate mounted beneath said rigid coin holder and adapted to normally support a coin deposited in the slot of said rigid coin holder, and externally operable means to flex said plate to withdraw support from the co n deposited in said rigid coin holder and permit said coin to fall through said slot.

2. In a coin operated merchandise vending machine, an operating unit including a plunger, a merchandise ejector, and means enabling said plunger to actuate said merchandise ejector, said means including a coin holder rigidly associated with said plunger, a second coin holder pivotally associated with said first mentioned coin holder, said coin holders having coin slots, means whereby a coin deposited .in said rigid coin holder locks said coin holders together as an operative unit, a pivoted arm supporting said merchandise ejector, said pivoted arm being disposed in the path of a coin deposited in said pivoted coin holder, whereby the coin in said pivoted coin holder engages said ear and swings said merchandise e ector about its pivotal mounting as the plunger advances on itsworking stroke.

3. in a coin operated merchandise vending machine, an operating unit including a plunger, a merchandise ejector, and means enabling said plunger to actuate said merchandise ejector, said means including a coin holder rigidly associated with said plunger, a second coin holder pivotally associated with said first mentioned coin holder, said coin holders having coin ,slots, means whereby a coin deposited in said rigid coin holder locks said coin holders together as an operative unit, a pivoted arm supporting said merchandise ejector, a latch device normally preventing advancement of said coin holding means, said latch device including a plate having a cam portion, whereby the coin in said pivoted coin holder engages said pivoted arm and swings said merchandise ejector about its pivotal mounting and said pivoted arm engagessaid cam portion to raise said latch device as the plunger advances on its working stroke.

4. In a coin operated merchandise vending machine, an operating unit including a plunger, a merchandise ejector, and means enabling said plunger to actuate said merchandise ejector, said means including a coin holding device, a pivoted arm supporting said merchandise ejector, said pivoted arm being disposed in the path of a coin deposited in said coin holding device, a latch device normally preventing advancement of said coin holding device, means on said pivoted arm for operating said latch device and means whereby a coin in said coin holding device engages said arm and swings said merchandise ejector about its pivotal mounting to raise said latch device and effect delivery of the merchandise as the plunger advances on its working stroke.

5. In a coin operated merchandise vending machine, an operating unit including a plunger, a merchandise ejector, andmeans enabling said plunger to actuate said merchandise ejector, said means including a coin holder rigidly associated with said plunger, a second coin holder pivotally associated with said first mentioned coin holder, said coin holders having coin slots, means whereby a coin deposited in said rigid coin holder locks said coin holders together as an operative unit, a pivoted arm supporting said merchandise ejector, said pivoted arm being disposed in the path of a coin deposited in said pivoted coin holder, a latch device normally preventing advancement of said coin holding means, said latch device including a plate having a cam portion, whereby the coin in said pivoted coin holder engages said arm and swings said merchandise ejector about its pivotal mounting and said arm engages said cam portion to raise said latch device as the plungeradvances on its working stroke. A

6. A coin operated vending machine comprising, in combination, an operating unit including a plunger, a merchandise ejector, and means enabling said'plunger to actuate said merchandise e ector, said means including a coin holder rigidly associated with said plunger, a second coin holder pivotally associated with said rigid coin holder, said coin holders having coin slots, a supporting plate -mounted beneath said rigid coin holder and adapted to normally support a coin deposited rigid coin holder 'slot locks said coin holders together as an operative unit, a pivoted arm supporting said merchandise ejector, said pivoted arm having an ear disposed in the path of a coin deposited in said pivoted coin holder whereby the coin in said pivoted coin holder engages said ear and'swings said merchandise ejector about its pivotal mounting as the plunger advances on its operating stroke 7 A coin operated vending machine comprising, in combination, an operating unit ineluding a plunger, a merchandise ejector, and means enablin said plunger to actuate said merchandise e ector, said means including a 10 com holder rigidly associated with said plunger, a second, coin holder pivotally asso-.

ciated with said rigid coin holder, said coin holders having coin slots, a flexible su porting plate mounted beneath said rigi coin holder and: adapted to normally support a coin deposited in the slot of said rigid coin holder, a coin supporting, rail beneath said pivoted coin holder, said pivoted coin holder having a lug adjacent to the coin slot of 29 said rigid coin holder whereby a coin positioned in said rigid coin holder slot locks said coin holders together as an operative unit, a pivoted arm supporting said merchandise ejector, said pivoted arm having an ear disposed in the path of a coin deposited in said pivoted coin holder, whereby .the coin in said" pivoted coin holder engages said ear and swings said merchandise ejector about its pivotal mounting as the plunger advances 30 on its operating stroke, and a pair of fingers mounted at the rear of said operating unit in position to engage said coins and force the latter downward through their respective slots during completion of the operating stroke.

8. A coin operated vending machine comprising, in combination, an operating unit including a plunger, a merchandise ejector, and means enabling saidvplunger to actuate said merchandise ejector, said means including a coin holder rigidly associated with said plunger, a second coin holder pivotally associated with said rigid coin holder, said coin holders having coin slots, a flexible support.- ing plate mounted beneath said rigid coin holder and adapted 'tonormally support a coin deposited in the slot of said rigid coin holder, externally operable means to flex said plate to withdraw support from the coin deposited insaid rigid coin "holder and permit said coin to fall through said slot, said pivoted coin holder-having a lug adjacent to the coin slot of said rigid coin holder whereby a coin positioned in said rigid coin holder slot locks said. coin holders together as an operative unit, a pivoted arm supporting said merchandise ejector, a latch device adapted to normally engage said rigid coin holder and prevent advancement of said operating unit, said latch device including a cam portion .whereby the coin in said pivoted coin holder engages said ear and swings said merchandise ejector about is pivotal mounting and said ear engages said cam portion to raise operating stroke.

9. Ina coin operated merchandise vending machine, an operating unit including a plunger, a merchandise ejector, and means enabling said plunger to actuate said merchandise ejector, said means including a coin holder rigidly associated with said plunger, a second coin holder pivotally associated with said first mentioned coin holder, said coin holders having coin slots,vsaid pivoted coin holder having a lug adjacent to the coin slot of said rigid coin holder whereby a coin deposited in said rigid coinholder locks said coin hold ers together as an operative unit, a pivoted arm supporting said merchandise ejector, said pivoted arm having an ear disposed in the-path of a coin deposited in said pivoted coin holder, a latch device normally preventing advancement of said coin holding means, said latch device including a plate having forward and rearward cam portions, whereby the coinin said pivoted coin holder engages said ear and swings said merchandise ejector about its pivotal, mounting and said ear engages one of said cam portions to raise said latch device as the plunger advances on its working stroke.

10. A coin operated vending machine comprising, in combination, an operating unit including a plunger, a merchandise ejector, and means enabling said, plunger to actuate said merchandise ejector, said means including a coin holder rigidly associated with said plunger a second coin holder pivotally associated with said rigid coin holder, said coin holders having coin slots, a flexible supporting plate mounted beneath said rigid coin holder and adapted to normally support a coin deposited in the slot of said rigid coin holder, externally operable means to flex said said latch as the plunger advances on its plate to withdrawn support from the coin 1 deposited in said rigid coin holder and per mit said coin to fall through said slot, said pivoted coin holder having a lug adjacent to the coin slot of said rigid coin holder whereby a coin positioned in said rigid coin holder slot locks said coin holders together as an operative unit, a pivoted arm supporting said merchandise ejector, said pivoted am having an ear disposed in the path of a coin deposited in said pivoted coin holder, a latch device adapted to normally engage said rigid coin' holder and prevent advancement of said operating unit, said latch device including a cam portion wherebv the coin in said pivoted I coin holder engages said ear and swings said merchandise ejector about its pivotal mounting and said ear engages said cam portion to raise said latch as the plunger advances on its operating stroke, and a pair of fingers mounted at the rear of said operating unit in position to engage said coins and force the latter downward through their respective slots during completion of the operating stroke.

11. In a coin operated Vending machine having an operating plunger and a merchandise ejector, a plurality of coin holders asa sociated with said plunger, each of said coin holders having a coin slot, means whereby a coin deposited in one of said coin slots locks one coin holder to another as an operative unit rigid with [said plunger, and means whereby a coin deposited in another coin slot engages and actuates the merchandise ejector on operation of said plunger. one of said coin holders being normally rigidly associated with the plunger and the other being normally pivotally mounted with relation to said rigidly associated coin holder.

12. In a coin operated merchandise vending machine, an operating unit including a plunger, a merchandise ejector, and means enabling said plunger to actuate said merchandise ejector, said means including a coin holder rigidly associated with said plunger, asecond coin holder pivotally associated with said first mentioned coin holder, said coin holders having coin slots, means where= by a coin deposited in one of said coin holders locks said coin holders together as an operative unit, a pivoted arm supporting said merchandise ejector, said pivoted arm being disposed in the path of a coin deposited in another of said coin holders, whereby the coin in said other coin holder engages said arm and swings said merchandise ejector about its pivotal mounting as the plunger operates on its working stroke.

13. In a coin operated merchandise vending machine, an operating unit including a plunger, 8. merchandise ejector and means enabling said plunger to actuate said merchandise ejector, said means including a coin holder rigidly associated with said plunger, a second coin holder pivotally associated with said first mentioned coin holder, each of said coin holders having a coin slot, means whereby a coin deposited in one of said coin holders locks said coin holders together as an operative unit, a pivoted arm supporting said mer chandise ejector, a latch device normally preventing operative movement of said coin holding means, said latch device including a plate 'having a, cam portion, whereby the coin in said other coin holder engages said pivoted arm and swings said'merchandiseej ector about its pivotal mounting and said pivoted arm engages said cam portion to raise ciated with said rigid coin holder, each of said coin holders having a coin slot, a coin supporting member beneath each of said coin slots, means whereby a coin positioned in one of said coin holders locks both coin holders together as an operative unit, an arm supporting said mechandise' ejector, said arm aving a portion disposed in the path of a coin deposited in said other com holder whereby said last mentioned coin engages said arm portion and operates said merchandise ejector as the plunger operates on its working stroke.

15. Acoin operated vending machine comprising, in combination, an operatin unit including a plunger, a merchandise ejector, and means enabling said plunger to. actuate said merchandise ejector, said actuating means including a coin holder-rigidly associated with said plunger, a second coin holder pivotally associated with said rigid coin holder, each of said coin holders having a coin slot, means whereby a coin positioned in one of said coin holders locks both coin hold ers together as an operative unit, an arm supporting said merchandise ejector, said arm having a portion disposed in the path of a coin deposited in said other coin holder, a latch device normally preventing merchandise-ejector actuating movement of said coin holding means, said latch including a. plate havin forward and rearward cam portions, where y the coin in said other coin holder engages said merchandise ejector arm portion and operates said merchandise ejector and said merchandiseejector arm engages one of said cam portions to releasesaid latch device as the plunger operates on its work nature. v

- LOUIS STEINER.

' said latchdevice as the plunger operates on its working stroke.

- .14. A coin operated vending machine comprising, m combination, an operating unit includmg a plunger, a merchandise'ejector, and means enabling said plunger to actuate said merchandise ejector, said means including a coin holder rigidly associated with said plunger-, second coin holder pivotally asso- I 

